3D MRI to understand airway collapse in sleep apnea
Official title: Novel 3D Quantitative Dynamic MRI to Characterize Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11400022 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new 3D dynamic MRI method will help doctors see how the airway collapses during sleep in people with obstructive sleep apnea, especially those who don’t tolerate CPAP.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $384,422 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173483-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400022 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obstructive sleep apnea who are being evaluated for hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not considering nerve stimulation or not eligible for MRI-based assessment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a 3D MRI technique that images the airway while you sleep, using advanced coils and motion-friendly imaging. The goal is to produce objective measures of airway collapse that could guide treatment decisions, including hypoglossal nerve stimulation. Researchers will test and refine the method in patients already being screened for nerve-stimulating therapy to ensure it reflects real sleep conditions. The work could pave the way for personalized care for people with OSA who struggle with current therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatments for sleep apnea, potentially improving comfort and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches relied on qualitative assessments; this project seeks to provide quantitative 3D measures.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lingala, Sajan Goud — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Lingala, Sajan Goud
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mechanisms of sex-specific responses to sleep apnea therapies
A research project at NYU School of Medicine is exploring how men and women may respond differently to treatments for obstructive sleep apnea and related heart risk.
-
Deep learning to predict obstruction site and guide sleep apnea treatment
A patient-focused project uses snoring sounds and AI to predict where your airway collapses during sleep and to guide personalized treatments.
-
Personalized DISE-guided surgery for sleep apnea in children with Down syndrome
A personalized surgical approach guided by DISE sleep-endoscopy is being tested to better treat sleep apnea in children with Down syndrome who don’t always improve after standard surgery.
-
Biomarkers to understand obstructive sleep apnea using microRNAs
A study at the University of Pennsylvania will look for microRNA signs in the blood that reflect how bad sleep apnea is and how well CPAP therapy works for patients.
-
Personalized sleep apnea care using genetics and biomarkers
A patient-friendly look at a research program aiming to tailor sleep apnea care using genetics, biomarkers, and brain/body signals to improve prediction and prevention.
-
Night-to-night sleep-disordered breathing differences in women and men
A study to find better biomarkers for sleep apnea severity, especially in women, by monitoring people at home for a week and tracking daily mood and energy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.